Losi calls for unity as Cosatu reconvenes national congress

By Johnathan Paoli

Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi has urged the federation’s affiliates to set aside their differences and unite behind workers’ interests, warning that internal divisions could weaken the labour movement’s fight against unemployment, poverty, exploitation and inequality.

Delivering the opening address at the reconvened 15th National Congress at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on Monday, Losi said the federation needed to prioritise the working class over individual leaders and organisational interests.

“There is no enemy amongst us. Our enemy is unemployment. Our enemy is exploitation. Our enemy is poverty and inequality. Our enemy is crime and corruption. It is racism and sexism. It is homophobia and gender discrimination,” she said.

Losi described the weeks following the premature adjournment of the congress in September as difficult for the federation, its affiliates and leadership, as well as workers who depended on Cosatu for representation and protection.

She said the dispute had